This blog publishes information typically sent through the Health Facilities Web Portal to health care entities regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Please note that the Web Portal is the official medium for business communication between the Department and licensed and Medicare/Medicaid certified health care entities. Health care entities should continue to monitor their portal accounts routinely.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Mandatory Pulse Oximetry Notification—Effective 01/01/2016

This year the Colorado legislature passed a bill regarding newborn screening, specifically pulse oximetry tests. The legislation, which was signed in to law by Governor Hickenlooper in May, requires all Colorado birth facilities below an elevation of 7,000 feet to conduct pulse oximetry tests on newborns. This must be done prior the release of infants from the facilities. Results of the screening must be reported to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics will work directly with birth certificate offices on revising data collection worksheets and electronic mechanism for reporting. This law goes in to effect January 1, 2016.

For more information please check the pulse oximetry fact sheet which outlines the basic requirements and process, and contact information for inquiries.

Thank you for your participation in this important newborn screening and reporting activity.